The Moon Disappears

Three and a half hours to Corrumbin, says Unni. What time is it now?

Two thirty, says Barney.

So, it'll be six o'clock when we get there, says Unni. Maybe this was a stupid decision.

Yeah, maybe it was, says Barney.

Keep me awake, says Unni.

Better than that, says Barney. I'll drive.

Not yet. We'll swap at Yamba, says Unni.

Okay, says Barney. Meanwhile, this'll keep you awake.

He starts singing Barbara Anne

Bar Bar Bar Bar Barbra Anne Bar Bar Bar Bar Barbra Anne, take my ha-a-and...

In the back, Terence repeats it flatly

Take my ha-a-and.

That's nice, says the Magpie.

Thanks, says Terence. See this finger? It's not a real finger. It's a claw.

Terence thinks about Baby BB, his previous parrot, (a Bristlebird), whose claw it was, and who now has his finger because they are blood brothers and last year was Baby BB's first Bristlemas and this year will be his second and this reminds Terence that the magpie has promised him a camera.

How will you get me a camera? asks Terence. There aren't any shops.

But the Magpie is concerned with the claw.

If Terence has one bird's claw, why not another?

He looks in anguish at the mirror.

His doppel-magpie looks anguished as well.

This proves he was right to feel anguished.

(and that he still doesn't really get mirrors)

Farky is sleeping as dogs do, unconcerned with cross currents.

Unni drives, not too fast, because she knows she is tired.

Barney sings Surfin' USA, and Summer Holiday.

Unni can't stand it. Especially Summer Holiday

It keeps her awake.

Now they are in Yamba.

They swap seats. Now Barney is driving.

What will Unni sing to keep Barney awake all the way to Currumbin?

She sings a song to the moon.

Hmmm-hm-hm-hm-hm-hm-hm-hm-hmm, hm-hm-hm-hm-hm-hmm, hm-hm-HM-HM-hm, hm-hm....

A song without words.

The moon disappears. It's six am. They arrive in Corrumbin.